Good morning…
Originally, this weekend was to host graduation festivities for high schoolers in our neck of the world’s woods. Our youngest son would have been one of the many celebrating this long-anticipated rite of passage, capping years of hard work in the classroom, unforgettable moments on the sports field, and life-giving hours on a performance stage. No picture party preceding a non-existent prom. No cap and gown extravaganza. No big graduation gatherings celebrating the end of an era. I understand. These traditional traditions are smallish casualties of this Coronavirus craziness, but they are lasting losses all the same.
That’s why, this week, I was grateful to come across a powerful blog post written by a caring dad of recent Lovett School grad. Here I am including a portion of his poignant post, a post in which Tom Greene admits, “Yes, the world has changed in dramatic ways. And many would argue that you graduating Seniors got a raw deal.”
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A Letter To All High School Graduates of 2020 by blogger Tom Greene
Now, imagine you were born in 1900. You might think that it was a simpler time of life. Maybe.
Then on your 14th birthday, World War I starts, and ends on your 18th birthday. 22 million people die in that war, including many of your close friends from high school.
Later in the year, a Spanish Flu epidemic hits the planet and runs until your 20th birthday. 50 million people die from it in those two years. Yes, 50 million people. We aren’t the first generation to wear face masks in public. In comparison, according to the CDC, somewhere between 37,908 and 90,165 people have died from the Coronavirus in 2020. A rounding error in the Spanish flu numbers.
On your 29th birthday, the Great Depression begins. The country nearly collapses along with the world economy. If you are lucky, you have a job that pays $300 a year, or about one dollar per day. Otherwise you will wait in line for a free loaf of bread and some government cheese. There will not be a gluten-free option.
When you turn 39, World War II starts. Thousands of American young men join the army to defend liberty with their lives. Between your 39th and 45th birthday, 75 million people perish in the war.
If you’re good at math, that’s 172M people dead by your 45th birthday. That’s roughly equivalent to the entire US population in 1965 – or about the time your parents were born.
Look, I’m not suggesting that you didn’t get a raw deal. You did.
But sometimes you need to step outside of your own world to get perspective. This isn’t likely the worst thing that’ll ever happen to you – or the country – in your lifetime. In fact, much worse things have happened to earlier generations. And, guess what, we mostly survived and prospered as a country.
So let’s put all this in perspective. Enjoy this moment of freedom, before life gets all serious and you have to do stuff again. And, remember to appreciate the sacrifices earlier generations made that allow you the freedom to watch anything you want on Netflix. And post bored pics of yourself on Insta. Life could be a whole lot worse.
Congratulations, class of 2020. Now go wash your hands.
Sincerely,
The United States of America
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Perspective is a powerful thing. When we lay our losses down beside those of others, we feel less alone, more resilient and connected.
A Message from the high and towering God, who lives in Eternity, whose name is Holy: “I live in the high and holy places, but also with the low-spirited, the spirit-crushed, and what I do is put new spirit in them, get them up and on their feet again” (Isaiah 57:15, MSG).
…Sue…
P.S. I have posted here some of the highlights of Tom Greene’s blog, but you will definitely want to touch on the this link to read his entire post, which includes current pictures, short video clips, and old-time photos. Tom’s thoughts offer a very powerful perspective for all of us who are reeling from our own “raw deal”.
P.S.S. Interestingly, Tom Greene and his daughter Meme dropped off one of the few graduation gifts received by our son, Jeremiah, a classy keychain with his name engraved. So Tom knows both how to grieve lost moments and celebrate special, sometimes silent accomplishments. Thank you Tom for showing us how it looks to embrace all of life, the highs and the lows, the chosen and unchosen experiences that shape us profoundly. Your graduation gift is a symbol of both inner strength and wide-spread support.
